These Virgin Margarita Mocktails will be your favorite thing this summer! Made with fresh lime juice, sparkling water, and honey, you’ll find it has the perfect balance of tart and sweet to awaken your tastebuds on those lazy summery afternoons.
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I love a good mocktail and these days lots more people are choosing not to drink alcohol in favor of other options for all sorts of personal and health reasons. That doesn’t mean we can’t have fun with something special like these Virgin Margarita Mocktails that are perfect when you want to unwind and relax!
The classic margarita has been a beloved cocktail for decades, known for its perfect balance of tart lime juice and sweet orange liqueur.
Our virgin version maintains the citrusy flavor but without the alcohol, making it a fantastic option for an elegant baby shower beverage, family parties, or for those who simply prefer a non-alcoholic drink. They’re quick and easy to make, using simple ingredients you’ll already have at home.
This drink is perfect for lounging on hot summer days and Cinco de Mayo celebrations, but you can enjoy this delight any time of year.
For more delicious mocktail recipes, try my Non-Alcoholic Mint Julep, Virgin Piña Coladas, Virgin Strawberry Daiquiri, or this Alcohol-Free Shirley Temple!
Why We Love This Recipe
- This mocktail margarita has the flavor and elegance of a traditional margarita, perfect for a special occasion.
- It’s the perfect drink for any party that can be whipped up in no time to serve fresh to your guests.
- Made with fresh juices, this delicious drink is so refreshing on hot summer days!
What You’ll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Honey – Use your favorite kind of honey to add a touch of natural sweetness to your drink.
- Water – You will want this hot so that it can dissolve the honey.
- Fresh Lime Juice – Freshly squeezed lime juice is best for the freshest flavor, but store-bought will work. If store-bought, be sure to make sure it’s 100% lime juice with no additives.
- Sparkling Water – My personal favorite is Topo Chico, however, any unflavored sparkling water will work here.
- Coarse Salt – Essential for adding a salt rim to the glass to enhance this beautiful drink.
- Lime Slices – For garnishing and adding a burst of fresh citrus aroma.
- Ice – Keeps your drink cool and refreshing.
How to Make Nonalcoholic Margaritas
- Prepare your glass. Run a slice of lime along the rim of the glass. Pour a handful of coarse salt onto a small plate. Turn the glass upside down and twist it back and forth on the plate to coat the rim of your glass with salt.
- Add juice, water, and ice. Fill the prepared glass half full with ice cubes. Pour the lime juice into the prepared glass.
- Add honey and water. Mix honey and hot water in a small glass until honey is fully dissolved. Pour into prepared glass.
- Add water and serve. Add the sparkling water and stir well. Serve with a fresh lime wedge on the rim and enjoy!
Recipe FAQ’s
Coarse salt works best for rimming the glass, but you can skip it if you prefer.
You can pre-mix the honey and lime juice mixture and store it in the fridge. Just add the sparkling water and ice when you’re ready to serve.
Store any leftover mocktail in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Keep it in a sealed container to maintain its fizz and flavor.
You can freeze the mocktail, but it will lose its fizziness. If you want to, you can put the mocktail into ice cube trays and freeze it, so that you can use it as flavored ice for your next margaritas without diluting it.
Tips for Success
- Always use fresh lime juice for the best flavor. Bottled juice can sometimes taste off or overly acidic.
- Taste the mocktail before serving and adjust the sweetness by adding more honey or lime juice as needed.
- If you want to make a larger amount of this recipe, simply multiply everything equally. This recipe makes 1 serving, so if you’re looking to make 4 servings, you will need to multiply each ingredient by 4. You can do this easily in a larger container and pour it into your glasses afterward.
What to Serve with Margarita Mocktails
Serve with classic party snacks with Mexican flavors like tortilla chips and Mexican Restaurant Salsa, Homemade Guacamole, queso dip, Mexican Street Corn Dip, Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers, or with my Sheet Pan Nachos with Salsa Verde Ranch Chicken.
Pair it with light meals such as my Smoky Chicken Tinga Tacos, and Shrimp Fajitas, or a fresh salad like my Heirloom Tomato Salad with Burrata.
Complement the tartness of the mocktail with sweet desserts like Homemade Churros, Flan de Queso, or a Summer Fruit Salad.
Offer other non-alcoholic options on your refreshments table like ginger ale, non-alcoholic wines, or a mai tai mocktail for variety.
Substitutions and Variations
- Use agave nectar, agave syrup or simple syrup instead of honey if you prefer.
- Serve this fun drink in mason jars instead of glasses for a casual twist on this elegant classic!
- You can use tonic water or soda water instead of sparkling water if you have it.
- Try using lemon juice, a mix of citrus juices, or even pomegranate juice for a different flavor.
- If you want to add a spicy kick to your drink, use tajin seasoning on the rim, or add a bit of chili powder to the salt for the rim of your glass.
- You can use crushed ice for a slushier texture if you prefer.
Margarita Mocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 Tablespoon hot water
- 3 Tablespoons lime juice
- ¾ cup sparkling water
- coarse salt
- lime slices
- ice
Instructions
- Run a slice of lime along the rim of the glass. Pour a handful of coarse salt onto a small plate. Turn the glass upside down and twist it back and forth on the plate to coat the rim of your glass with salt.lime slices, coarse salt
- Fill the prepared glass half full with ice cubes. Pour the lime juice into the prepared glass.ice, 3 Tablespoons lime juice
- Mix honey and hot water in a small glass until honey is fully dissolved. Pour into prepared glass.2 teaspoons honey, 1 Tablespoon hot water
- Add the sparkling water and stir well. Serve with a fresh lime wedge on the rim and enjoy!¾ cup sparkling water
Notes
- Make Ahead: Pour your prepared ingredients into a container, like a jar with a lid, close it, and place it in the refrigerator. When ready to enjoy, prepare your glass, fill it with ice, give the jar a good shake, and pour!
- Store: Store any leftover mocktail in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Keep it in a sealed container to maintain its fizz and flavor.
- There are so many variations of mocktail margaritas. You can easily add any flavor that suits you to this base. Feel free to experiment with some additional fresh squeezed juice, such as grapefruit, orange, or even strawberry.
- You can substitute the honey for any variation of sweetener that you prefer. Each sweetener has varying levels of sweetness; you may need to adjust the amount needed depending on your choice.
